One for the Record Books

More impressively some of those records were held by a man named Tiger Woods. The same Tiger that McIllroy, as an 8-year-old kid back in Northern Ireland, watched capture his first major.

Here is a glimpse of the records he set this week:

Rory McIlroy’s total of 268 strokes breaks the 72-hole U.S. Open scoring record of 272 previously held by four players—Jack Nicklaus, 1980; Lee Janzen, 1993; Tiger Woods, 2000; Jim Furyk, 2003.

Rory McIlroy’s total of 16 under par breaks the 72-hole U.S. Open record for most strokes under par. Tiger Woods set the previous record of 12-under in 2000.

At 22 years, 1 month, 15 days, Rory McIlroy is the youngest U.S. Open champion since Bob Jones, 1923, at 21 years, 3 months, 28 days. He is also the second-youngest player to win a major championship in past 80 years behind Tiger Woods, who was 21 years, 3 months, 15 days when he won the 1997 Masters.

(Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy became the fourth player in U.S. Open history to shoot four rounds in the 60s, joining Lee Janzen, 1993; Lee Trevino, 1968; Billy Casper, 1966 (including one round in playoff).